The worst disaster is the one that happens to you. Tomorrow, Apr 30 is National PrepareAthon! Day. Be Prepared!
Archive | April, 2016
Valley Gives Day Tuesday May 3!
Join this Pioneer Valley celebration of philanthropy! Over 70 wonderful human service, arts, education, and cultural organizations from Franklin County benefit from giving on Tuesday May 3. More information here:
New Regional Sign-Making Machine
FRCOG is pleased to announce the purchase of a new shared resource for Franklin County’s municipalities. Greenfield’s DPW is now hosting a regional sign making machine that is considerably faster than the previous one, and can be used by any town that has received the training and signed a regional Memorandum of Understanding.
The machine’s purchase was made possible through funds from the Baker/Polito Administration’s District Local Technical Assistance program.
For questions about the project, contact bids@frcog.org
Click here for a video from GCTV on the new regional equipment
click here for a Facebook post about the project
Prepare and Share
Do your weekend plans include making an emergency kit? Be prepared for springtime weather and the National PrepareAthon! Day on April 30th.
Draft 2016 CEDS Annual Report
Click here: DRAFT 2016 CEDS Annual Report
The DRAFT 2016 Greater Franklin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Annual Report is available for public comment until May 25, 2016. Please submit any comments or questions to jatwood@frcog.org or 413-774-3167 x123.
Hiring: Fiscal Grants Manager
The FRCOG is hiring for a new position in its Finance Department. We are an exciting and growing organization with super working conditions. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with federal grant administration experience. Auditing/fiscal monitoring experience is a plus. Salary range starts at $27.50/hr with excellent benefits. Detailed job description.
Resume and cover letter by May 5 or until positon is filled to:
Finance Search
12 Olive Street, Suite 2
Greenfield, MA 01301
The FRCOG is an equal opportunity employer.
Tax Time
Being prepared means creating a financial disaster kit as well. Learn what to include at Ready.gov/Financial preparedness
Sharing Resources in a Disaster
In a disaster your neighbors may be your first responders, or you may be theirs. Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.
Important step in using churches as shelters
Using a church to house overnight guests for an emergency, march/demonstration, athletic or educational event? Read on!
In the last few months, the Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program has become aware that there are churches that have been using their facilities as temporary overnight shelters for various community events. While these facilities are generally suitable to house a considerable number of overnight guests, they may or may not be considered safe. In an effort to assure a reasonable degree of safety for such uses, The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards has provided a legal means of permitting this use in the State Building Code.
In short, a church cannot use its facilities as an overnight shelter unless a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Building Official after a mutual inspection is done with the Fire Chief and Board of Health and all officials agree that the temporary use will be reasonably safe. If you would like to apply for a permit, please feel free to call or email James Hawkins, Building Commissioner at extension 113.
Some of the beautiful churches in our region:
Wood Stove Change-Out Program
DEP’s new Change Out Program offers rebates of up to $1,500 to all Massachusetts residents who replace their old woodstoves by August 22, 2016, and up to $2,500 for those who meet certain income requirements!
Flyer about the program: 2016_Change-Out_Brochure_Standard.
For more information, click here!